Smash kills ‘smiling’ attendant

The well-known petrol attendant at the BP Sandown Service Centre who always had a smile for every customer, Charles Rambai Kashiri, was killed just two days before his baby boy was born.

While he was walking to work on Saturday morning at about 07:00, a BMW and a motorcycle collided on the corner of Sandown Road and the R27.

The bike was flung into the air and hit 38-year-old Kashiri, who died in hospital later that day.

Table View Police are investigating a case of culpable homicide after both Kashiri and the motorcyclist, Zithobile Sigidi, died in the crash.

“It is alleged the driver of the BMW turned in front of the motorcycle, which then collided with the BMW. The motorcycle was tossed in the air and fell on the second victim,” says spokesperson for Table View Police, W/O Daphne O’Reilly.

It is also alleged the driver of the BMW fled the scene of the accident, but what exactly transpired that morning pales in comparison to the devastating consequences, which will be mourned by many.

The other petrol attendants at the BP service centre apparently burst into tears when they saw the motionless Kashiri.

Management at the service centre thought it was apt to place a sign in the window informing the public that the “smiling petrol attendant” had died and that he leaves behind a heavily pregnant wife.

They gave customers the opportunity to to donate items or money to Kashiri’s wife, who gave birth to a baby boy on Monday morning.

According to BP Sandown owner Melanie Govender, they were overwhelmed with donations ranging from nappies and food to money and clothing.

This will all be sent to Kashiri’s grieving wife and newborn son.

He worked for the service station for close to five years and has become famous for his friendliness.

According to Govender, people from all over, regulars or just passer-bys, have donated items to the Kashiris.

“Their support is absolutely amazing. We would like to thank each and every person who helped,” she adds.

News that Kashiri died just days before his wife expected their only child rocked the wider community.

Kashiri’s employers relayed information about the birth on Monday via social media.

A Table View Neighbourhood Watch member posted the news on the watch’s Facebook page and a day later over 300 people “liked” the post.

The accident itself was also shared on the page.

So when members were told that the baby and mother were healthy, many saw it as a silver lining around the tragic deaths.

One wrote that while the circumstances are tragic, every birth should be celebrated.

She shared the sentiments of most when she wrote: “Wishing the family all the best for the future”.

Sigidi, who was renowned for his passion for motorcycles, worked as a senior inspector at Koeberg Nuclear Power Station.

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